Scugog students walk out of classes in protest of teacher dispute

Pupils don't want to be pawns

PPHS students walk out

Celia Klemenz / Metroland

PORT PERRY -- Students, including Maddie Attwood, left, and Emily Ekker, at Port Perry High School walked out from their classes on December 10 to protest the ongoing dispute between their teachers and the Province. December 10, 2012

PORT PERRY -- The majority of students at Port Perry High School walked out of class Monday morning in protest of the ongoing dispute between their teachers and the Ontario government.

The impromptu plan was circulated via Facebook over the weekend and resulted in hundreds of students counting down the minutes until 10 a.m. on Dec. 10 before packing away their books and streaming out the school's doors.

"It's not really fair to us, what the teachers are doing," said Maddie Attwood, a Grade 10 student involved with the school's student council. "We're taking our stand too and letting people know the students have choices, too."

What's most upsetting, continued the 15-year-old student, is the fact extracurricular activities, such as field trips and other special events, have been cancelled or postponed as Durham District School Board teachers begin to withdraw certain services as part of their contract dispute with the Province.

"We're not allowed any extracurricular because of (the teachers') protest," said Maddie.

But she was hesitant to choose sides in the battle.

"I don't really know what to go for or against," said Maddie, noting the protest could be "considered both ways: against the government or the teachers."

Students were opposing the decision of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation to cancel extracurricular activities in opposition to Bill 115.

The legislation, passed in September, called on the OSSTF and the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario to negotiate new contracts with their local school boards by Dec. 31, which have to be approved by the minister of education. They were instructed to reach a deal similar to one signed between the Province and the Ontario Elementary Catholic Teachers' Association in the summer, which included a wage freeze and a reduction in sick days and benefits. The bill also contains a provision that the minister could attempt to interfere if the union were to strike. To rev up the protest, the OSSTF instructed all high school teachers to cancel extracurricular activities no later than Dec. 10.

In a previous interview, OSSTF District 13 (Durham) president Dave Barrowclough said the teachers are fighting for democratic rights.

"We know it's difficult to understand but these are their future rights," he said of the students.

Shortly after 10 a.m., dozens of students walked in large groups throughout Port Perry's downtown core. At the Rosa Street school, some students milled about in front of the school while others drove by in vehicles, honking at their peers and waving.

Some students noted that teachers were supportive of the walk-out and did not attempt to stop the students as they left classrooms. Other students said they were told by school administrators that a 20-minute walk-out would be accepted, but that suspensions would be meted out to anyone who did not return to class.

Students participating in the action seemingly were unclear whether the action was to just last for one period or the entire school day.

But Samantha Bailey was adamant that she does not want to be a pawn in the fight between her teachers and the Province.

The teachers "are taking stuff away from us, our extracurriculars away from us, and this has nothing to do with us but we have to make the sacrifices," said Samantha, a Grade 11 student.

In particular, the 16-year-old student said she would like to see some normalcy return to the school's sports and music programs.

"We want it all back, everything they've taken away from us," said Samantha.

But, when asked to choose a side, Samantha said she would lean in favour of the teachers, "to a certain extent.

"I think the whole thing has gone too far because now they've got the students involved and it's not fair because we haven't done anything," she added.

Other students said they left their classrooms because of peer pressure.

"I didn't want to be the only one there in class," noted Shania Gaskin, a Grade 11 student.

Other students, however, said the walk-out was more of an opportunity to cut classes than make a point.

"This isn't going to solve anything," said Jessica Green, a 17-year-old student in Grade 12. "The teachers are striking because they want something so I don't how this (student action) is going help them get their way."

She noted that most students opted to head home or walk downtown rather than participate in an organized rally at the school.

"Do you see anyone protesting here?" said Ms. Green with her arms outstretched, referring to the few students standing in front of the school and texting on their phones.

Ms. Green stressed that she signed out of classes and did not walk out on her teachers.

"This is not going to solve anything," she said. "This is just one big chaotic mess."

Following the walk-out, PPHS student Josh Field confirmed the walk-out was supposed to be a show of support for the Scugog school's teachers.

"Because the name of this bill is 'Putting Students First Act', we believe that if we show the government we are with the teachers and that a bill they made apparently for us is actually making it (worse) for us, then we believe they will reconsider Bill 115 giving the teachers the ability to negotiate the thing(s) they have taken away from them," wrote Josh in an e-mail to the Star. "In turn, this will return the things we love about school such as sports and clubs and free library time."

Jon Lepage, a vice-principal at PPHS, said on Tuesday morning that school officials had taken no action so far against the students who abandoned their classrooms the day before.

"Nothing has been dealt with so far," he said, noting administration officials had compiled a list of students who participated in the walk-out.

The vice-principal said the school will impose "progressive discipline on a case-by-case basis," taking into account each student's record of skipped classes and late arrivals.

School officials also met with representatives from the PPHS student council on Tuesday morning to review the walk-out and discuss other methods for students to voice their displeasure, he said.

On Monday, Mr. Lepage said the school's primary focus was to make sure everyone was safe during the mass exodus of students.

"We're focusing on student safety at this point, to make sure everyone is safe," he said.

He noted that teachers were taking attendance to see who remained in school and that parents would be notified if their children walked out of class.

"Students were allowed back into school, they were welcomed back in, and we're hoping that some will come back and focus on their learning," said the vice-principal.

Students at Cartwright High School in Blackstock also took part in a walk-out on Monday morning, from 10 to 11 a.m. The action was held in support of the CHS teachers, said Ashley McNeill, a Grade 11 student.